The Norte in Asturias

Note that there is an albergue in Colombres but that in summer months it is frequently booked by student scout groups. The museum in town is excellent (see history below), if not to visit at least to walk the grounds.

History:

The Indianos. The Museo de la Emigración in Colombres is an excellent collection in an incredible building. It captures the life of the Indianos, everyday Gallegos, Asturianos, Cantabrians, and Basques who because of their proximity to the sea were most able to emigrate from Spain to the Americas (...

The camino now crosses the N-634 and the A-8 at the start of Peral, ignore all arrows pointing you down the N-634 as new construction has eliminated the old pilgrim pathway. Once across the highways turn left down a gravel track to parallel the A-8. You will be on the north side of the highway...

Same arrangement as Peral (stretched out along the N road), but with a small residential area which is where the albergue is located.

Notice:

When the camino returns to the N-634 things get a bit confusing. There are two routes here, one that follows the road all the way to Buelna and beyond and an alternative which follows the coastline. The second route is the preferred option for its safety and scenery but it can be difficult to...

The Road:

The turn off is to the left, remember that in Asturias the shell symbols are typically oriented such that the ‘hinge’ of the symbol represents Santiago.

The albergue is down this side road a short distance. Beyond it the camino descends and then turns off to the right, crosses uphill...

In Andrín the camino zig zags uphill to join the LLN-2 on a pedestrian path to your right. Shortly after a sharp right-hand turn it leaves the road to the left to follow a mountain path to the entrance to Llanes. Alternatively you can stay on the road and pass through Cúe on the way to Llanes....

On the way into town you cannot help but notice the number of large Casas del Indiano. Most are well preserved, much like the old town center. Together they are the leading draw to tourism in Llanes remains so popular.

To the south are the Cantabrian mountains and the limestone...

The Road:

The camino enters Llanes from the south along the Avenida de la Concepción and continues along it all the way to the Río Carrocedo. At the river, the streets are mostly for pedestrians only and the camino does not deviate from the road, it follows along through several name...

Póo straddles the AS-263 and the camino winds its way through town, crossing the main road to follow a coastal path known locally as the Senda Cicloturista to Celorio. Alternatively, it is possible to turn left to follow the AS-263 there.

The Monasterio de San Salvador is not open for visitors, but the church occasionally is.

Celorio is well known for its enthusiastic festivals. There are three spread out during the months of July and August.
The first is in honor of the Virgen del Carmen and begins on the first Sunday after the 16th of July at the Iglesia de San Salvador; it involves a procession with the Virgen to the beach. One week before this there is the hoguera (bonfire), wherein the neighboring villages compete to erect the largest eucalyptus tree (chopped and hauled back to town) in the church square. The third is the día del bollu to celebrate the patron of the city San Salvador on the first Sunday of August; it puts the food in feast.

The Road:

The route through Celorio is well marked, though if you wander off of it you may get turned around easily in the web of streets of this small village. If in doubt head towards the beach, which the camino passes on its way out of town along a coastal road.

In recent years the politicians of Barro have begun undoing a decade of illegal development; it is a rare sight to see new buildings torn down. By the time you pass through, there will be more green space near the beach.

For a quiet moment consider following the road out of town a bit...

San Roque is celebrated on the 15th of August.

The Road:

Passing through Barro, there are a beach and bar to your right just off the main road.

Further ahead at the end of town the camino turns left to leave the road; just past this turn is a small detour to visit the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores and the...

The camino does not go through town, unless you followed the road from the church/beach. Between here and Naves the camino keeps to a quiet path along the hillside to the north. Before long it descends to rejoin the AS-263, and crosses the Río Bedón after passing the late Romanesque...

April: San Jorge on the 23rd.
July: San Juan on the last weekend of the month.
August: Nuestra Señora del Henar on the 5th.
September: Santo Cristo del Amparo, a celebration of the highest quality, on the 13th and 14th. Also La Virgen de la Blanca on the 7th and 8th.

The Road:

Between Nueva and Ribadesella the camino follows along a combination of quiet country roads and foot paths, passing through the villages of Piñeres and Cuerres. It returns to the AS-263 just before Ribadesella and follows it into the city.